Icy conditions befell the M69 today with seven accidents a result of the bad weather (Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty)

Black ice was the cause of seven accidents on the M69, police have said, forcing them to close a section of the motorway to prevent any more.

Nobody is believed to be seriously injured in the incidents, which Leicestershire Police say happened on the southbound carriageway between junctions one and three.

The affected section of road has since been reopened with gritting lorries making sure that the roads are adequately safe.

Sergeant Paul Clarke, from Leicestershire Police’s Road Policing Unit, said: ‘The cold weather and ice overnight has left the surface of the M69 covered in ice and in a dangerous condition to drive on.

‘Now is a good opportunity to offer a timely reminder to motorists to take care while driving in icy conditions.

‘Adjust your speed to suit the conditions and thereby ensure that you can proceed with reasonable safety. Remember, your stopping distance can be twice as much on wet roads and up to ten times greater on snow or ice, compared to dry roads.’